Fans flock to see rare 'werewolf cat' at London cat show

It may look like the stuff of nightmares - perhaps the baddie in the latest Disney animal cartoon or an evil wizard’s malign pet - but this is in fact the cat of the moment.

While more traditional cat lovers may prefer the classic Siamese or Persian, those looking for something startling in their feline are turning to the Lyoki - otherwise known as a ‘werewolf cat’.

This Lyoki, nine month old Shalnavazz Mehari, has become the star of the LondonCats show, staged to show off rare breeds and known as the Crufts for cats.

The Lyoki is not a recognised designer breed, but is instead a type of cat with a genetic mutation which causes it to have an unusual appearance.

There are over 200 different felines on display at the show, which is held over two days, the 7th and 8th of January.

But it was Shalnavazz Mehari who was yesterday attracting all the attention.

The Lyoki’s rather unusual appearance is determined by the fact that although the breed is a domestic shorthair, its hair follicles lack all the necessary components required to create hair.

Breeders now purposefully try to continue this mutation, especially in America, where the breed was first developed

And while they may look like the kind of thing to wake you up in a cold sweat, the breed is in fact known for being particularly affectionate and playful.

Pervez Alexander, who has two Lyokis and bred the first one to be born in the UK, told The Sunday Telegraph: "They have a lovely personality - playful, affectionate, intelligent, friendly and well-socialised. It is down to the breeder and the parents but my two are lovely".

Credit:
Eddie Mulholland

"My boy was born in the UK on the 14th May 2015 and then the girl is younger, she's only 9 months old. She was born in France. I have heard that someone has imported two."

Lyokis are far more expensive than your regular pedigree puss; with prices for a black standard kitten rising to £1600.

Ms Alexander spoke of what it was like to breed her first 'werewolf cat', called Teddy Lupin: "He was born as a black fluffy baby and his hair fell out.

"People used to think he looked sad because he had so little hair around his eyes and they looked almond-shaped."

A besotted owner kisses his Sphynx catCredit:
Eddie Mulholland

The Lyoki wasn't the only rare feline at the event; there was also the world premiere of an African Sand Cat cross or the Marguerite, never before seen in public.

The African sand cat crossCredit:
Eddie Mulholland

This sand cat cross was created by breeders Jacky and Tim Bliss by crossing a wild sand cat with a British crossbreed.

The LondonCats show is full of rare and beautiful felinesCredit:
Eddie Mulholland

There are now 20 Marguerites in existence, all descended from a single wild cat named Trevor.

Mrs Bliss, 63, said: “This is the first time an African sand cat hybrid has been seen at a public show in the world because this is the first time a successful breeding programme has been completed.

“The two kittens and cat we are bringing to the LondonCats show are second and third-generation hybrids, whereas other sand cat offspring have died.”

She said sand cats are “different to those more aggressive wild cats”, adding: “Sand cats lie flat and hide if they are scared, they don’t attack, and they’re not hyperactive. We are trying to keep those traits in the hybrid domestic cat offspring and they are so sweet-natured.”